Watch: Mob justice takes care of Hillbrow thief
South Africans are tired of criminals getting away with 'murder', and are thus taking matters into their own hands. This was the case with one thief in Hillbrow, who was the subject of a brutal beating for his crime.
Listen as KZN share their views with Damon about mob justice, or read the details under the podcast.
A group of people beat a cellphone thief after a taxi driver chased him down. The thief had robbed one of his passengers.
According to News24, the incident took place this past Saturday in Hillbrow, Johannesburg. In the video, you can see the thief walking up to a taxi and grabbing what is believed to be a cellphone through the window before attempting to make a getaway.
However, the quick-thinking taxi driver got out of his vehicle and chased after the thief. Shortly after, he grabs him and hands him over to the victim of the crime, who then starts beating him, alongside many onlookers who joined in to get their 'justice'.
Watch the video below:
Warning: This video may not be suitable for sensitive viewers
An incident like this isn’t a one-off, it's mob justice, and it happens around the world. Urban Dictionary defines mob justice as: "When a large angry mob takes justice into their own hands".
Across the word, petty thieves are stoned, burglars are beaten to death or lynched because people feel they can’t trust or have little faith in the law, so the alleged criminal is humiliated, beaten, or even killed by the crowd.
And it happens right here in South Africa, too, with a recent case taking place in Limpopo and ending in the death of two people. The Citizen reports that mobs killed two men in two separate incidents after they were accused of crimes. The one man was 29 and was killed for burglaries. The other, a 36-year-old man, was accused of theft. Both sustained extreme injuries and died on their way to hospital.
The province's commissioner has spoken up and said that the public must channel their issues to the police and not take matters into their own hands.
"Residents are urged to partner with the police to provide information about any suspected criminals in and around their areas in order for them to face the full might of the law, instead of assaulting or killing them,” said General Ledwaba.
Read - #CrimeStats: KZN records highest murder rate
As much as we want justice when someone steals something from us, South African law says it’s illegal to act together with others in an unlawful attack. If anyone takes part in mob justice that results in injury, murder or malicious damage, that person can be tried with the rest of the mob for the same offence.
Yes, following the recent crime stats that were released, I understand that South Africans are frustrated over the crime in our country, with some even fed up of waiting for the authorities. However, my advice would be to let the police and the law take control of the situation. Remember, mob justice is an illegal offence in South Africa, and you don't want to get on the wrong side of the law.
What are your thoughts when a group of people decides to take matters into their own hands? I'd love to hear from you. Share your comments with me below: